Marin Museum of the American Indian facts for kids
Museum of the American Indian in Miwok Park, Novato, California
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| Former name | Marin Museum of the American Indian |
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| Established | 1967 |
| Location | Novato, California, USA |
The Museum of the American Indian is a special place in Novato, California. It opened in 1967. This museum teaches visitors about Native American history and culture. It sits on land that was once a Coast Miwok village. The museum is part of the 35-acre Miwok Park in Marin County.
Contents
Discovering the Past: Museum History
How the Museum Started
The Museum of the American Indian began in 1967. It all started with the Novato High School Archaeology Club. These students wanted to protect local Native American artifacts. They asked the Novato leaders to create a law for this.
Protecting Ancient Treasures
The law was approved. In May 1967, the students published a report. It was about their findings from an important dig site. This work even got featured in the magazine “Scientific American” that December.
A Home for Artifacts
One club member, Pete Moore, suggested a place to keep the artifacts. These were items the club found during their digs. So, in 1967, the Museum of the American Indian opened its doors.
What You Can See and Do
Visiting the Museum
Today, more than 7,000 people visit the museum each year. This includes about 4,000 school children from the Bay Area. The museum has many interesting things to see. You can find Native American artifacts, paintings, and photographs.
Fun Events and Activities
The museum also hosts a yearly event called the Trade Feast. It takes place in Miwok Park. At this feast, you can see:
- Indigenous dancers perform.
- Demonstrations of basket weaving.
- How arrowheads were made.
- Fun activities for kids.
- Delicious native foods.
The museum is open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They also offer free activities throughout the year.
